Canopy hosts men’s lunch for cancer survivor and patient camaraderie

THE WOODLANDS, TX – Canopy Cancer Survivorship Center is a beacon for people going through cancer journeys and their loved ones. Nestled inside Memorial Hermann Medical Center The Woodlands, it is open to all cancer patients regardless of where they get their treatments and what stage of their journey they’re in.

With near-daily workshops, classes, and events, plus services designed to lighten the loads of these patients and their families, the center is an integral part of The Woodlands’ medical scene.

One of Canopy’s events is a regular Men’s Luncheon for male cancer patients and survivors. In partnership with H-E-B Chef Connections, Canopy lets men meet and mingle and share stories. Kenny McKey, retired from the United States Navy, enjoys putting together these lunches and other events as the men’s group organizer.

“I keep everyone’s phone numbers and email addresses together and try to let everyone know what’s going on and try to promote the place and try to get newcomers in,” he said. “I and several others – like Jim and Joe and Billy – have been coming here for six or seven years. We try to offer support for cancer survivors and patients and caregivers for loved ones.”

The lunches take place on the last Friday of every month. “It’s a good group. We help each other out and forget about the troubles we might be having, with a lot of fellowship,” said McKey.

Thanks to Hollywood, cancer is viewed as primarily a ‘woman’s disease;’ however, according to the National Cancer Institute, men have a one in two chance of being diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, compared to one in three for women. Men have a higher cancer mortality rate than women. In 2024, prostate cancer is expected to be the most common cancer diagnosis for men, followed by lung and bronchus cancer. Other cancers that commonly affect men include bladder cancer, colorectal cancer, and skin cancer. The median age of diagnosis for different cancers varies, but cancer can be diagnosed at any age.

Part of McKey’s goal is to bring these numbers down. “Us guys tend to put things off or ignore the symptoms. In my case, I spent forever wondering why my throat was always sore before I learned that I had stage four throat cancer. So we try to pep everybody up so that they keep their treatments up and put the male ego aside for a bit to be taken care of.”

Canopy is made possible by Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center and by philanthropic support through Memorial Hermann Foundation and Memorial Hermann In the Pink of Health.

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